Systems and methods for pulsed field ablation using low voltage, long duration pulses

Abstract

Systems and methods for electroporation are provided. An electroporation system includes a catheter assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a pulse generator coupled to the first and second electrodes. The pulse generator is configured to apply a waveform between the first and second electrodes to perform irreversible electroporation, wherein the waveform includes pulses having a voltage amplitude of 1000 Volts (V) or less and an effective pulse width of 10 microseconds (μs) or more.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electroporation system comprising:
 a catheter assembly comprising a first electrode;   a second electrode; and   a pulse generator coupled to the first and second electrodes, the pulse generator configured to:
 apply a waveform between the first and second electrodes to perform irreversible electroporation, wherein the waveform includes pulses having a voltage amplitude of 1000 Volts (V) or less and an effective pulse width of 10 microseconds (μs) or more. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are separated by a distance of 2,000 micrometers (μm) or less. 
     
     
         3 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes comprise flexible printed electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the effective pulse width is achieved using a single continuous pulse. 
     
     
         5 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the effective pulse width is achieved using a plurality of pulses each having a pulse width of 10 μs or less and separated from one another by a time gap of 10 nanoseconds (ns) or more. 
     
     
         6 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the effective pulse width is achieved using an initial pulse having a pulse width of 1 μs or more followed by a plurality of pulses having a pulse width of less than 1 μs. 
     
     
         7 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pulses of the waveform have an amplitude of 50V or less. 
     
     
         8 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pulses have an effective pulse width of 500 μs or more. 
     
     
         9 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises a basket catheter. 
     
     
         10 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises a balloon catheter. 
     
     
         11 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises a paddle catheter or a linear catheter. 
     
     
         12 . The electroporation system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is located on the catheter assembly. 
     
     
         13 . A method for electroporation therapy, the method comprising:
 generating, using a pulse generator, a waveform including pulses having a voltage amplitude of 1000 Volts (V) or less and an effective pulse width of 10 microseconds (μs) or more; and   delivering, using a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to the pulse generator, the waveform between the first electrode and the second electrode to perform irreversible electroporation.   
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the first and second electrodes are separated by a distance of 2,000 micrometers (μm) or less. 
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the first and second electrodes are flexible printed electrodes. 
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the effective pulse width is achieved using a single continuous pulse. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the effective pulse width is achieved using a plurality of pulses each having a pulse width of 10 μs or less and separated from one another by a time gap of 10 nanoseconds (ns) or more. 
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the effective pulse width is achieved using an initial pulse having a pulse width of 1 μs or more followed by a plurality of pulses having a pulse width of less than 1 μs. 
     
     
         19 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the pulses of the waveform have an amplitude of 50V or less. 
     
     
         20 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the pulses have an effective pulse width of 500 μs or more.